Exploration of the Impact of Business Improvement approach Lean Six Sigma on the Environment

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 357-366
Author(s):  
James Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Improving pilot project application and review processes: A novel application of lean six sigma in translational science

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Schmidt ◽  
Laura Aubree Shay ◽  
Can Saygin ◽  
Hung-da Wan ◽  
Karen Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Translational Science ◽  
Research Administration ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Study Section ◽  
The Impact

Each year our Clinical and Translational Science Award pilot projects program awards approximately $500,000 in translational pilot funding to advance health in South Texas. We identified needs to improve the timeliness, transparency, and efficiency of the review process by surveying applicants. Lean six sigma methodologies, following a “Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control” approach, were used to streamline the pilot project application and review by identifying and removing bottlenecks from process flows. We evaluated the impact of our reorganized review process by surveying applicants and reviewers. Process mapping identified pilot project review as the main source of delay, leading to the implementation of a study section-style review mechanism. After one cycle, 90.3% of pilot applicants and 100% of reviewers were highly satisfied with the new processes and time to award notice was reduced by 2 months. All reviewers familiar with both review processes preferred the study section. We demonstrated how lean six sigma, a methodology not commonly applied in research administration, can be used to evaluate processes in translational science in academic health centers. Through our efforts, we were able to improve timeliness, transparency, and efficiency of the review process.

Impact of lean six sigma at pharmacy unit on hospital profitability before and during Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Heri Iswanto
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Inpatient Care ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Term Care ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unit Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the impact of lean six sigma (LSS) implementation carried out in a pharmaceutical unit on the profitability of outpatient and inpatient care before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/method/approach The data were analyzed descriptively to see the development patterns in four periods: before implementation, during the implementation before the pandemic, during the pandemic and during the enforcement of new normal, in general, and by the length of stay (LOS). Findings The inventory purchase in the pharmaceutical unit dramatically decreased after implementation even during the pandemic and new normal wherein the pre-pandemic it decreased by 27%, during the pandemic 29% and in the new normal 37% compared to pre-LSS. The hospital deficit decreased after implementation before the pandemic by 26% and during the pandemic by 10% from the pre-LSS time. However, during the new normal, the deficit increased by 29%, indicating a diminished effect of LSS on the hospital profits. Research limitations/implications This research raised the possible implication that the implementation of LSS needed to be carried out in the entire hospital to have a large effect, especially on the inpatient care and long-term care installations. Originality/value This research provided empirical evidence regarding the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the ability of LSS at the unit level to provide efficiency at the unit level and the entire hospital at various levels of LOS.

Lean Six Sigma in higher education institutes: an Irish case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 948-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus J. O’Reilly ◽  
Joe Healy ◽  
Tom Murphy ◽  
Rónán Ó’Dubhghaill
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to a developing literature on continuous improvement (CI), enabled by Lean Six Sigma (LSS), in higher education institutions (HEIs). It reports on the key learning points arising from the initial steps taken by an Irish university on its CI journey. Design/methodology/approach A case study strategy was adopted following a participatory research approach. This approach supports reflexivity and also provides access to all relevant documentation and staff within the case university. Thematic analysis was supported by data reduction and display techniques. Findings The introduction of a LSS approach rather than a reliance on lean alone introduced a structured methodology (DMAIC) that supported simplification of a number of administrative processes. A number of specific improvements were achieved including: Cycle time and cost reduction; customer or employee satisfaction; and rework and error reduction. The findings support the importance of the Readiness Factors as identified by Antony (2014), with particular insight into the role of senior and middle management, the impact of training and deployment of expertise. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on an ongoing, longitudinal, empirical study of a single case study in Ireland. Originality/value This paper tracks the development of CI in a HEI in a longitudinal manner and adds to the emerging the literature in this area. The paper evaluates the role of management at various levels, analyses the use of LSS tools and techniques and evaluated the role of training and capacity building. Implications for Management are shared including: design and role of training programmes, role of champions at various organisational levels, including key functional areas and sustaining momentum.

Analyzing the Lean Six Sigma enabled organizational performance to enhance operational efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 2401-2434
Author(s):  
Shruti J. Raval ◽  
Ravi Kant ◽  
Ravi Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficient Organization ◽  
Manufacturing Organizations ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe aim of this analysis is to review the Indian manufacturing organizations practicing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools/techniques with an objective of monitoring the performance of an organization and to develop recommendation for strategies to benchmark organizational operational efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThis study offers insights of the LSS performance measurement aspects of the Indian manufacturing organizations based on Data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. The five inputs and two outputs are considered on the basis of literature review and discussed with the practitioners.FindingsIn this analysis, the relative efficiency score of 18 Indian manufacturing organizations has been determined in order to assist evaluation of the impact of monetary investment on the outputs. The present analysis not only investigates the optimum level of input variables but also lays down a significant observation that an organization having higher profit and inventory turnover ratio is not necessarily an efficient organization.Practical implicationsThe results assist to determine the best practice units, potential source of inefficiency and deliver beneficial data for the consistent enhancement of the operational efficiency. The DEA results assist managers and decision makers to derive appropriate strategies to enhance their performance with reference to the efficient organization and to regard it as their role model.Originality/valueThis analysis renders a DEA based framework of LSS practicing Indian manufacturing organizations. The framework is unique in terms of its input-outputs variable selection and measurement procedure.

Lean Six Sigma: a clinical treatment for the recovery of Indian manufacturing sector from the after-effects of coronavirus

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsimran Singh Sodhi
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Clinical Treatment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
After Effects ◽  
The World ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
The Impact

PurposeManufacturing industry is quite badly hit due to the coronavirus. Manufacturing has been stopped in every country. The present study will provide assistance to the practitioners to recover manufacturing sector from the after-effects of coronavirus.Design/methodology/approachA thorough review of the recent articles published in the newspaper and web has been done to make a viewpoint on the global industrial impact due to epidemic corona. Reports of WHO, IMF, World Bank, RBI and so forth are also reviewed. Further, Lean Six Sigma has been suggested which can be implemented to recover manufacturing industry from the ill effects of corona.FindingsIn present study the problem causd in the manufacturing sector due to corona virus has been identified and a clinical treatment for the same has been proposed by using the tools and techniques of Lean Six Sigma.Originality/valueThe impact of coronavirus has become a huge issue not only for the physical health of human beings but also for the economic health of most of the countries in the world, as it is pushing the world economy toward huge economic depression. Therefore, it becomes the moral responsibility of industrial experts to suggest the tools and techniques to the manufacturing industry for faster recovery.

scholarly journals Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in an Effort to Reduce the Failure of the Pipe Quality Load Test

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mochamad Waras ◽  
Wiwik Sulistyowati
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Impact Test ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Fishbone Diagram ◽  
Sense Of Satisfaction ◽  
The Impact

PT WTUR is a manufacturing whose production is PVC pipe. As a measure to improve quality and optimize work processes in the quality control department. The research aims to minimize the occurrence of impact test failures and provide recommendations for improvement so as to guarantee product quality and generate a sense of satisfaction obtained from consumers. The method used in this research is the lean six sigma method. The purpose of using the lean six sigma method is to reduce waste and determine the causes of the failure of the impact test results. In applying the lean six sigma method, the analysis method is used to determine the causative factors of the root cause using the fishbone diagram and root cause analysis (RCA) and to find out the steps for improvement in reducing the occurrence of load test failures on pipe quality using the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA).

Celebrating a decade of International Journal of Lean Six Sigma – a bibliometric analysis to uncover the “as is” and “to be” states

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Puram ◽  
Anand Gurumurthy
Keyword(s):  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) has completed a decade. To celebrate the same, this study aims to review the articles published in IJLSS from its inception to the year 2020. The journal’s trends and professional impact over the years are investigated and potential future research directions are proposed. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis comprising of citation, co-citation and keyword co-occurrence methods is used on all the articles published in IJLSS till the year 2020. Content analysis is further done to analyse the type of research, type of industry studied and the articles’ target audience. Findings The journal has improved its reputation, productivity and impact over the years. Currently, studies published in IJLSS have been cited more than 5,000 times, with the most prominent themes being Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Lean in manufacturing and services. Researchers from India, the USA and the UK have contributed a significant number of publications. Most of the work published is case-based. There is a need for more empirical or survey-based research having high generalizability. Future studies should also focus on integrating LSS with emerging topics such as sustainability, Industry 4.0 and the like. Research limitations/implications The study provides evidence of the impact of IJLSS and highlights the trend in the domain of LSS. It can be of use for the editorial board members to identify potential areas to focus on in the future. Researchers can use it to further their research by working on the research gaps identified. Originality/value This paper is the first to trace the progress of IJLSS from its inception till the year 2020.

scholarly journals Lean Six Sigma Approach for Reducing Length of Hospital Stay for Patients with Femur Fracture in a University Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2843
Author(s):  
Arianna Scala ◽  
Alfonso Maria Ponsiglione ◽  
Ilaria Loperto ◽  
Antonio Della Vecchia ◽  
Anna Borrelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Femur Fracture ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Femur Fractures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Six Sigma Approach

Surgical intervention within 48 h of hospital admission is the gold standard procedure for the management of elderly patients with femur fractures, since the increase in preoperative waiting time is correlated with the onset of complications and longer overall length of stay (LOS) in the hospital. However, national evidence demonstrates that there is still the need to provide timely intervention for this type of patient, especially in some regions of central southern Italy. Here we discuss the introduction of a diagnostic–therapeutic assistance pathway (DTAP) to reduce the preoperative LOS for patients undergoing femur fracture surgery in a university hospital. A Lean Six Sigma methodology, based on the DMAIC cycle (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), is implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the DTAP. Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from two groups of patients before and after the implementation of DTAP over a period of 10 years. The statistics of the process measured before the DTAP showed an average preoperative LOS of 5.6 days (standard deviation of 3.2), thus confirming the need for corrective actions to reduce the LOS in compliance with the national guidelines. The influence of demographic and anamnestic variables on the LOS was evaluated, and the impact of the DTAP was measured and discussed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the improvement actions implemented over the years and leading to a significant reduction in the preoperative LOS, which decreased to an average of 3.5 days (standard deviation of 3.60). The obtained reduction of 39% in the average LOS proved to be in good agreement with previously developed DTAPs for femur fracture available in the literature.

Application of Lean Six Sigma in IT support services – a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gijo E.V. ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Vijaya Sunder M.
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Resolution Time ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Support ◽  
System Maintenance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been accepted globally across the service sector as a management strategy for achieving process excellence. In the past one decade, the application and success of LSS in services is remarkable across Information Technology (IT) organisations. However academic research has seldom derived implications from this practitioner’s science of improving processes. The purpose of this paper is to feature the application of LSS in the system maintenance department of a manufacturing firm. Design/methodology/approach The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out in system maintenance department using the Six Sigma Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control (DMAIC) approach and its application in reducing complaint resolution time. Findings The LSS article presented here highlights a real-world case study of how LSS DMAIC methodology help reduce the complaint resolution time from 12.5 to 8.5 h (~30 per cent improvement) and the corresponding standard deviation from 28 to 17.4 days. This study also has resulted in reducing the turn-around-time of all the core processes in the organisation. The indirect financial savings estimated as a result of this overall impact was around INR2.5m. Research limitations/implications The research was restricted to studying the impact of LSS in one organisation. The validity of the results can be improved by including more organisations and more case studies from the IT support services. Originality/value This could serve as a resource for both practitioners to derive useful implications and to academicians as it contributes to the LSS body of knowledge towards theory testing.

Lean Six Sigma for the healthcare sector: a multiple case study analysis from the Indian context

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreeranga Bhat ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
E.V. Gijo ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Value Stream Mapping ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the voice of the customer, key performance indicators, critical to quality characteristics, critical success factors, and commonly used tools and techniques for deploying the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) strategy in Indian private hospitals, with special attention to the medical records. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes the action research methodology to obtain a greater understanding of the use of LSS in the Indian healthcare sector. Multiple case studies were designed and successfully deployed to understand and ascertain challenges in LSS implementation. Five case studies were carried out in the Medical Records Departments (MRD) of four private hospitals in India. Findings Patients perceive that waiting in queue harms their health, which can be rectified by addressing the cycle time of the system. The research also found that effective leadership, availability of data, involvement of cross-functional team and effective communication are critical to the success of LSS projects. In addition, control charts, cause and effect diagram, 5S, gemba, two-sample t-test, standardization, waste analysis and value stream mapping are some of the common tools used to improve healthcare systems. Research limitations/implications The research was restricted to studying the impact of LSS on the workflow and resource consumption of the MRD in Indian allopathic hospitals only. The validity of the results can be improved by including more hospitals and more case studies from the healthcare sector in different countries. Originality/value The findings will enable researchers, academicians and practitioners to incorporate the results of the study in LSS implementation within the healthcare system to increase the likelihood of successful deployment. This will provide greater stimulus across other departments in the hospital sector for wider and broader application of LSS for creating and sustaining process improvements.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document